Police Dogs & Handlers Turn Out to Honor A Fallen Officer in Detroit

A Wayne State officer escorts Wolverine, one of Officer Rose's K-9 dogs. Photo: Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press — A Wayne State officer escorts Wolverine, one of Officer Rose’s K-9 dogs. Photo: Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press

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Officer Collin Rose, 29, was fatally shot Nov. 22 while working in a neighborhood west of Detroit’s Wayne State University’s Midtown campus. The viewing at Ford Field drew officers and police dogs from across the state and beyond.

To honor his memory and mark the loss, hundreds of police officers — many with their police dogs — stood in line for a viewing.

Rose had two police dogs: Clyde and Wolverine. Together they worked as part of Ford Field’s security team on Detroit Lions game days. It was the first of such visitations held at the stadium, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Officer Rose with Wolverine. named after fallen Detroit Police Officer Patrick Hill, who bore the same nickname for being a University of Michigan alumnus.

“It was a really amazing showing (of) the tightness of that canine police group … something to really comfort the family, and we just greatly appreciate it,” Wayne State Lt. Patrick Saunders, Rose’s supervisor, told the Detroit Free Press.

Wayne State Police Chief Anthony Holt told reporters that Rose loved working the venue, and one of his dogs was brought to Wednesday’s viewing. Saunders said it was “just an incredible showing” at Ford Field.

K-9 units from around the country showed up to honor the fallen officer. Photo: Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press

“I don’t think any police officer wants to go to a funeral, but I think it makes us proud to understand what the love is in this profession,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if I’ve ever met you before. If you’re a police officer, and I’m a police officer, there’s a bond.”

Rose’s dogs are expected to return to work, same as their human counterparts. “Naturally, there’s confusion,” Holt said. “No different than the confusion with the officers. But after this is over, we’ll tuck it in and we’ll have to go back to work.”

Fallen Wayne State officer Collin Rose is honored during visitation at Ford Field in Detroit. Photo: MJ Murawaka/Wayne State University

George Mason University Master Police Officer Travis Willis came all the way from Virginia with fellow Officer Ryan Crice to attend the viewing. Willis said his department felt it would be good, as another university, to show support. Like Rose was, Willis is 29.

“It hurts,” Willis said. “You know, we do the same stuff he, unfortunately, lost his life doing — we do this nightly. It makes us feel good to be able to come out and represent our department.”